Autonomous Approach and Object Pickup

ABSTRACT

An example method includes receiving instructions to pick up an object with one or more lift elements of an autonomous vehicle. Based on a current positioning of the vehicle, the method further includes identifying the object to be picked up and a particular side of the object under which to place the one or more lift elements of the vehicle. The method additionally includes determining an approach path toward the object for the vehicle to follow to place the lift elements of the vehicle under the particular side of the object. The method further includes causing the vehicle to move along the determined approach path toward the object. The method additionally includes determining that the lift elements of the vehicle are placed under the particular side of the object. The method also includes causing the vehicle to lift the object with the lift elements.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/389,648 filed on Dec. 23, 2016, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 14/673,438 filed on Mar. 30, 2015, the entire contents of eachof which are incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth inthis description.

BACKGROUND

A warehouse may be used for storage of goods by a variety of differenttypes of commercial entities, including manufacturers, wholesalers, andtransport businesses. Example stored goods may include raw materials,parts or components, packing materials, and finished products. In somecases, the warehouse may be equipped with loading docks to allow goodsto be loaded onto and unloaded from delivery trucks or other types ofvehicles. The warehouse may also use rows of pallet racks to allow forstorages of pallets, flat transport structures that contain stacks ofboxes or other objects. Additionally, the warehouse may use machines orvehicles for lifting and moving goods or pallets of goods, such ascranes and forklifts. Human operators may be employed to operatemachines, vehicles, and other equipment. In some cases, one or more ofthe machines or vehicles may be robotic devices guided by computercontrol systems.

SUMMARY

Example systems and methods may provide for final approach and objectpickup for an autonomous vehicle. A local control system of the vehiclemay receive control of the vehicle (e.g., from a remote operator) tocomplete pickup of an object (e.g., a pallet) with one or more liftelements (e.g., forks) on the vehicle. Based on the current position ofthe vehicle, the object and a side from which to pick up the object maybe identified. The vehicle may then be controlled to move along anapproach path toward the object. Based on data from one or more sensorson the vehicle, it may be determined that the lift elements of thevehicle are placed under the object. The sensors may include forcesensors, contact sensors, distance sensors, and/or other types ofsensors. The lift elements on the vehicle may then be raised in order tocomplete pickup of the object.

In one example, a method is provided that includes receiving, by acontrol system of an autonomous vehicle, instructions to pick up anobject with one or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle. Basedon a current positioning of the autonomous vehicle, the method furtherincludes identifying the object to be picked up and a particular side ofthe object under which to place the one or more lift elements of theautonomous vehicle. The method additionally includes determining anapproach path toward the object for the autonomous vehicle to follow toplace the one or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle under theparticular side of the object. The method also includes causing, by thecontrol system, the autonomous vehicle to move along the determinedapproach path toward the object. The method further includesdetermining, based on sensor data from at least one sensor on theautonomous vehicle, that the one or more lift elements of the autonomousvehicle are placed under the particular side of the object. The methodalso includes causing, by the control system, the autonomous vehicle tolift the object with the one or more lift elements.

In another example, an autonomous vehicle is disclosed that includes oneor more lift elements positioned on a side of the autonomous vehicle, atleast one horizontal force sensor configured to detect a horizontalforce in a direction toward the side of the autonomous vehicle, at leastone vertical force sensor configured to detect a downward force on theone or more lift elements, and a control system. The control system isconfigured to cause the autonomous vehicle to move along an approachpath toward an object. Based on sensor data from the at least onehorizontal force sensor indicating a horizontal force from the object onthe autonomous vehicle, the control system is further configured todetermine that the one or more lift elements are positioned under theobject. The control system is additionally configured to cause the oneor more lift elements to raise the object. Based on sensor data from theat least one vertical force sensor indicating a stable downward forcefrom the object on the one or more lift elements, the control system isfurther configured to determine that the object is lifted off of aground surface.

In another example, a non-transitory computer readable medium havingstored therein instructions, that when executed by a control system ofan autonomous vehicle, cause the control system to perform functions isdisclosed. The functions include receiving instructions to pick up anobject with one or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle. Basedon a current positioning of the autonomous vehicle, the functionsfurther include identifying the object to be picked up and a particularside of the object under which to place the one or more lift elements ofthe autonomous vehicle. The functions additionally include determiningan approach path toward the object for the autonomous vehicle to followto place the one or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle underthe particular side of the object. The functions also include causingthe autonomous vehicle to move along the determined approach path towardthe object. The functions additionally include determining that the oneor more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle are placed under theparticular side of the object. The functions further include causing theautonomous vehicle to lift the object with the one or more liftelements.

In yet another example, a system may include means for receivinginstructions to pick up an object with one or more lift elements of theautonomous vehicle. Based on a current positioning of the autonomousvehicle, the system further includes means for identifying the object tobe picked up and a particular side of the object under which to placethe one or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle. The systemadditionally includes means for determining an approach path toward theobject for the autonomous vehicle to follow to place the one or morelift elements of the autonomous vehicle under the particular side of theobject. The system may also include means for causing the autonomousvehicle to move along the determined approach path toward the object.The system additionally includes means for determining that the one ormore lift elements of the autonomous vehicle are placed under theparticular side of the object. The system further includes means forcausing the autonomous vehicle to lift the object with the one or morelift elements.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the figures and the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a robotic fleet, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram illustrating components of arobotic fleet, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a robotic truck unloader, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a robotic arm on a pedestal, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2C shows an autonomous guided vehicle, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2D shows an autonomous fork truck, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a method, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an automated approach sequence for apallet jack, according to an example embodiment.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate another automated approach sequence fora pallet jack, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is another block diagram of a method, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an autonomous fork truck with force sensors,according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are described herein. Any example embodimentor feature described herein is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments or features. Theexample embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. Itwill be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed systemsand methods can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of differentconfigurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should notbe viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodimentsmight include more or less of each element shown in a given Figure.Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted.Yet further, an example embodiment may include elements that are notillustrated in the Figures.

An autonomous vehicle such as a forklift or a pallet jack may be used topick up, transport, and place objects, such as pallets of boxes, withinan environment such as a warehouse. In some systems, the vehicle may befully automated and operated by a control system located on the vehicle.In other examples, different levels of remote assistance (e.g., from aremote human operator or a remote automated system) may be used tocontrol or assist operation of the vehicle, ranging from direct remotecontrol (referred to as “teleoperation”) to select supervision ofcertain tasks or functions. Certain types of vehicle operations may bedifficult for a remote human operator to control precisely, forinstance, due to network delay in communicating with the vehicle, lackof force feedback during interaction with the environment, and/or theinability to experience sensory information (e.g., hearing sounds) fromthe surrounding environment in real time.

One vehicle task that may be difficult for remote operators involvesplacement of a vehicle's lift elements under an object in order to pickup the object. For instance, a remote operator may have a difficult timeprecisely placing a pallet jack's forks under a pallet in order to liftthe pallet. In particular, it may be difficult to center the forks underthe pallet and fully insert the forks under the pallet without causing acollision with the pallet. Within example systems, a remote operator(e.g., a remote human operator or a remote automated control system)positions an autonomous vehicle close to an object, and thenrelinquishes control to a local control system of the autonomous vehicleto execute a final approach path to the object in order to pick up theobject.

In some examples, the autonomous vehicle may be positioned proximate toan object by a remote operator before a signal is sent to the localcontrol system of the vehicle instructing the vehicle to complete pickupof the object. The local control system of the vehicle may use itscurrent position when the signal is received to identify the object tobe picked up as well as a particular side of the object to use to pickup the object. In some examples, the lift elements (e.g., forks) of thevehicle may be partially positioned under a side of an object when asignal to pick up the object is received. The local control system ofthe vehicle may then infer the intent of the remote operator to pick upthe object from the side where the lift elements are partiallypositioned. In another example, a remote operator may instead positionthe vehicle near an object with the lift elements pointed toward a sideof the object to identify the object and the particular side for thelocal control system to use. In further examples, identifyinginformation may be provided to the local control system of the vehiclefrom a remote operating system in other ways as well or instead (e.g.,an object may be identified for pickup by clicking on an area of agraphical user interface of the remote operating system).

In order to pick up the identified object, the local control system ofthe vehicle may first determine an approach path toward the object forthe vehicle to follow in order to position the vehicle's lift elementsunder the object. For instance, sensor data from one or more opticalsensors on a fork truck may be used to determine a path toward a centerpoint on a side of a pallet under which to insert the truck's forks. Thevehicle may then be controlled to move along the path until one or moresensors on the vehicle indicate that the lift elements are fullypositioned under object. For instance, a force and/or contact sensor onthe body of the vehicle may indicate that the vehicle has contacted theobject and the forks are fully inserted. In another example, one or moreforce sensors on wheels of the vehicle may indicate resistance tomovement along the determined path, indicating that the object has beenreached. The vehicle may then be stopped and controlled to pick up theobject (e.g., by lifting a pallet with its forks).

In further examples, one or more vertical force sensors on the vehiclemay also be used to ensure that the object is fully lifted off theground. For instance, the vehicle may use sensor data from the verticalforce sensors to determine a weight of the object. The vehicle may thencontinue to lift the object higher off the ground until the data fromthe force sensors indicate that the weight of the object is stable, andtherefore that the object has been fully lifted off the ground. In someexamples, separate force sensors on each of the forks may also be usedto ensure that the weight of the object is distributed evenly across theforks. In further examples, a contact sensor may be used to verify thatan object has been lifted as well or instead. In particular, the contactsensor could be positioned at a particular height on the vehicle. Thevehicle may then lift the object to the particular height plus anadditional distance (e.g., a few inches). Object pickup may then beconfirmed by verifying that the contact sensor is no longer in contactwith the object.

In additional examples, after determining the approach path toward theobject, the local control system of the vehicle may identify a sweptspace to be covered by the vehicle when moving along the approach pathin order to identify any obstacles in the way. If one or more obstaclesare identified, the vehicle may refrain from moving toward the objectand may send a signal notifying the remote operator. In other examples,the vehicle may adjust the approach path to avoid the one or moreobstacles, possibly by directing the vehicle to use a different pickuppoint on the same side of the object (e.g., an off-center point) or touse a pickup point on a different side of the object. In such examples,the local control system may send a signal to a remote operatoridentifying the obstacle(s) and requesting confirmation of the plannedalternative pickup point or route. Once a return confirmation signal isreceived, the vehicle may be controlled to move along the alternativepath and/or insert the vehicle's lift elements at the alternative pickuppoint.

In further examples, the approach path and/or the pickup point may bedetermined based on other factors or different types of input from aremote operator as well or instead. For instance, the autonomous vehiclemay receive information indicating a target drop-off location for theobject. The autonomous vehicle may then determine the approach pathand/or the pickup point on the object in order to accommodate the targetdrop-off location. For instance, a different side of an object may beused for pickup when using the originally identified side of the objectwould make dropoff more difficult or impossible based on the size orshape of the target drop-off location.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the followingdetailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure and thedescribed embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detailso as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

Example embodiments may involve a robotic fleet deployed within awarehouse environment. More specifically, a combination of fixed andmobile components may be deployed within the environment to facilitateautomated processing of boxes, packages, or other types of objects.Example systems may involve automated loading and/or unloading of boxesand/or other objects, such as into storage containers or to and fromdelivery vehicles. In some example embodiments, boxes or objects may beautomatically organized and placed onto pallets. Within examples,automating the process of loading/unloading trucks and/or the process ofcreating pallets from objects for easier storage within a warehouseand/or for transport to and from the warehouse may provide a number ofindustrial and business advantages.

According to various embodiments, automating the process of loadingand/or unloading delivery trucks at the warehouse and/or the process ofcreating pallets may include the deployment of one or more differenttypes of robotic devices to move objects or perform other functions. Insome embodiments, some of the robotic devices can be made mobile bycoupling with a wheeled base, a holonomic base (e.g., a base that canmove in any direction), or rails on the ceiling, walls, or floors. Inadditional embodiments, some of the robotic devices may be made fixedwithin the environment as well. For instance, robotic manipulators canbe positioned on elevated bases at different chosen locations within awarehouse.

As used herein, the term “warehouse” may refer to any physicalenvironment in which boxes or objects may be manipulated, processed,and/or stored by robotic devices. In some examples, a warehouse may be asingle physical building or structure, which may additionally containcertain fixed components, such as pallet racks for storing pallets ofobjects. In other examples, some fixed components may be installed orotherwise positioned within the environment before or during objectprocessing. In additional examples, a warehouse may include multipleseparate physical structures, and/or may also include physical spacesthat are not covered by a physical structure as well.

Further, the term “boxes” may refer to any object or item that can beplaced onto a pallet or loaded onto or unloaded from a truck orcontainer. For example, in addition to rectangular solids, “boxes” canrefer to cans, drums, tires or any other “simple” shaped geometricitems. Additionally, “boxes” may refer to totes, bins, or other types ofcontainers which may contain one or more items for transport or storage.For instance, plastic storage totes, fiberglass trays, or steel bins maybe moved or otherwise manipulated by robots within a warehouse. Examplesherein may also be applied toward objects other than boxes as well, andtoward objects of various sizes and shapes. Additionally, “loading” and“unloading” can each be used to imply the other. For instance, if anexample describes a method for loading a truck, it is to be understoodthat substantially the same method can also be used for unloading thetruck as well. As used herein, “palletizing” refers to loading boxesonto a pallet and stacking or arranging the boxes in a way such that theboxes on the pallet can be stored or transported on the pallet. Inaddition, the terms “palletizing” and “depalletizing” can each be usedto imply the other.

Within examples, a heterogeneous warehouse robot fleet may be used for anumber of different applications. One possible application includesorder fulfillment (e.g., for individual customers), in which cases maybe opened and individual items from the cases may be put into packagingwithin boxes to fulfill individual orders. Another possible applicationincludes distribution (e.g., to stores or other warehouses), in whichmixed pallets may be constructed containing groups of different types ofproducts to ship to stores. A further possible application includescross-docking, which may involve transporting between shippingcontainers without storing anything (e.g., items may be moved from four40-foot trailers and loaded into three lighter tractor trailers, andcould also be palletized). Numerous other applications are alsopossible.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts a robotic fleet within awarehouse setting, according to an example embodiment. Morespecifically, different types of robotic devices may form aheterogeneous robotic fleet 100 that may be controlled to collaborate toperform tasks related to the processing of items, objects, or boxeswithin a warehouse environment. Certain example types and numbers ofdifferent robotic devices are shown here for illustration purposes, butrobotic fleet 100 may employ more or fewer robotic devices, may omitcertain types shown here, and may also include other types of roboticdevices not explicitly shown. Additionally, a warehouse environment isshown here with certain types of fixed components and structures, butother types, numbers, and placements of fixed components and structuresmay be used in other examples as well.

One example type of robotic device shown within robotic fleet 100 is anautonomous guided vehicle (AGV) 112, which may be a relatively small,mobile device with wheels that may function to transport individualpackages, cases, or totes from one location to another within thewarehouse. Another example type of robotic device is an autonomous forktruck 114, a mobile device with a forklift that may be used to transportpallets of boxes and/or to lift pallets of boxes (e.g., to place thepallets onto a rack for storage). An additional example type of roboticdevice is a robotic truck loader/unloader 116, a mobile device with arobotic manipulator as well as other components such as optical sensorsto facilitate loading and/or unloading boxes onto and/or off of trucksor other vehicles. For instance, robotic truck unloader 116 may be usedto load boxes onto delivery truck 118, which may be parked adjacent tothe warehouse. In some examples, movements of delivery truck 118 (e.g.,to deliver packages to another warehouse) may also be coordinated withrobotic devices within the fleet.

Other types of mobile devices than those illustrated here may also beincluded as well or instead. In some examples, one or more roboticdevices may use different modes of transportation besides wheels on theground. For instance, one or more robotic devices may be airborne (e.g.,quadcopters), and may be used for tasks such as moving objects orcollecting sensor data of the environment.

In further examples, the robotic fleet 100 may also include variousfixed components that may be positioned within the warehouse. In someexamples, one or more fixed robotic devices may be used to move orotherwise process boxes. For instance, a pedestal robot 122 may includea robotic arm elevated on a pedestal that is fixed to the ground floorwithin the warehouse. The pedestal robot 122 may be controlled todistribute boxes between other robots and/or to stack and unstackpallets of boxes. For example, the pedestal robot 122 may pick up andmove boxes from nearby pallets 140 and distribute the boxes toindividual AGV's 112 for transportation to other locations within thewarehouse.

In additional examples, robotic fleet 100 may employ additional fixedcomponents positioned within a warehouse space. For instance, highdensity storage racks 124 may be used to store pallets and/or objectswithin the warehouse. The storage racks 124 may be designed andpositioned to facilitate interaction with one or more robotic deviceswithin the fleet, such as autonomous fork truck 114. In furtherexamples, certain ground space may be selected and used for storage ofpallets or boxes as well or instead. For instance, pallets 130 may bepositioned within the warehouse environment at chosen locations forcertain periods of time to allow the pallets to be picked up,distributed, or otherwise processed by one or more of the roboticdevices.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram illustrating components of arobotic warehouse fleet 100, according to an example embodiment. Therobotic fleet 100 could include one or more of various mobilecomponents, such as AGV's 112, autonomous fork trucks 114, robotic truckloaders/unloaders 116, and delivery trucks 118. The robotic fleet 100may additionally include one or more fixed components positioned withina warehouse or other environment, such as pedestal robots 122, densitystorage containers 124, and battery exchange/charging stations 126. Infurther examples, different numbers and types of the componentsillustrated within FIG. 1B may be included within a fleet, certain typesmay be omitted, and additional functional and/or physical components maybe added to the examples illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B as well. Tocoordinate actions of separate components, a global control system 150,such as a remote, cloud-based server system, may communicate (e.g.,through wireless communication) with some or all of the systemcomponents and/or with separate local control systems of individualcomponents.

Within examples, certain of the fixed components 120 may be installedbefore deployment of the rest of the robotic fleet 100. In someexamples, one or more mobile robots may be brought in to map a spacebefore determining placement of certain fixed components 120, such asthe pedestal robots 122 or battery exchange stations 126. Once mapinformation is available, the system may determine (e.g., by runningsimulations) how to layout the fixed components within the spaceavailable. In certain cases, a layout may be chosen to minimize thenumber of fixed components needed and/or the amount of space used bythose components. The fixed components 120 and mobile components 110 maybe deployed in separate stages or all at once. In additional examples,certain of the mobile components 110 may only be brought in duringparticular time periods or to complete particular tasks.

In some examples, global control system 150 may include a centralplanning system that assigns tasks to different robotic devices withinfleet 100. The central planning system may employ various schedulingalgorithms to determine which devices will complete which tasks at whichtimes. For instance, an auction type system may be used in whichindividual robots bid on different tasks, and the central planningsystem may assign tasks to robots to minimize overall costs. Inadditional examples, the central planning system may optimize across oneor more different resources, such as time, space, or energy utilization.In further examples, a planning or scheduling system may alsoincorporate particular aspects of the geometry and physics of boxpicking, packing, or storing.

Planning control may also be distributed across individual systemcomponents. For example, global control system 150 may issueinstructions according to a global system plan, and individual systemcomponents may also operate according to separate local plans.Additionally, different levels of detail may be included within a globalplan, with other aspects left for individual robotic devices to planlocally. For instance, mobile robotic devices may be assigned targetdestinations by a global planner but the full routes to reach thosetarget destinations may be planned or modified locally.

In additional examples, a central planning system may be used inconjunction with local vision on individual robotic devices tocoordinate functions of robots within robotic fleet 100. For instance, acentral planning system may be used to get robots relatively close towhere they need to go. However, it may be difficult for the centralplanning system to command robots with millimeter precision, unless therobots are bolted to rails or other measured components are used toprecisely control robot positions. Local vision and planning forindividual robotic devices may therefore be used to allow for elasticitybetween different robotic devices. A general planner may be used to geta robot close to a target location, at which point local vision of therobot may take over. In some examples, most robotic functions may beposition-controlled to get the robots relatively close to targetlocations, and then vision and handshakes may be used when needed forlocal control.

In further examples, visual handshakes may enable two robots to identifyone another by AR tag or other characteristics, and to performcollaborative operations within fleet 100. In additional examples, items(e.g., packages to be shipped) may be provided with visual tags as wellor instead, which may be used by robotic devices to perform operationson the items using local vision control. In particular, the tags may beused to facilitate manipulation of the items by the robotic devices. Forinstance, one or more tags on particular locations on a pallet may beused to inform a fork lift where or how to lift up the pallet.

In additional examples, deployment and/or planning strategies for fixedand/or mobile components may be optimized over time. For instance, acloud-based server system may incorporate data and information fromindividual robots within the fleet and/or from external sources.Strategies may then be refined over time to enable the fleet to use lessspace, less time, less power, less electricity, or to optimize acrossother variables. In some examples, optimizations may span acrossmultiple warehouses, possibly including other warehouses with roboticfleets and/or traditional warehouses. For instance, global controlsystem 150 may incorporate information about delivery vehicles andtransit times between facilities into central planning.

In some examples, a central planning system may sometimes fail, such aswhen a robot gets stuck or when packages get dropped in a location andlost. Local robot vision may also therefore provide robustness byinserting redundancy to handle cases where the central planner fails.For instance, as an automatic pallet jack passes and identifies anobject, the pallet jack may send information up to a remote, cloud-basedserver system. Such information may be used to fix errors in centralplanning, help to localize robotic devices, or to identify lost objects.

In further examples, a central planning system may dynamically update amap of the physical environment containing robotic fleet 100 and objectsundergoing processing by the robotic devices. In some examples, the mapmay be continuously updated with information about dynamic objects(e.g., moving robots and packages moved by robots). In additionalexamples, a dynamic map could contain information on both the currentconfiguration or placement of components within a warehouse (or acrossmultiple warehouses) as well as information about what is anticipated inthe near term. For instance, the map could show current locations ofmoving robots and anticipated locations of the robots in the future,which may be used to coordinate activity between robots. The map couldalso show current locations of items undergoing processing as well asanticipated future locations of the items (e.g., where an item is nowand when the item is anticipated to be shipped out).

In additional examples, some or all of the robots may scan for labels onobjects at different points within the process. The scans may be used tolook for visual tags that may be applied to individual components orspecific items to facilitate finding or keeping track of components anditems. This scanning may yield a trail of items constantly moving aroundas the items are manipulated or transported by robots. A potentialbenefit is added transparency, both on the supplier side and theconsumer side. On the supplier side, information about current locationsof inventory may be used to avoid overstocking and/or to move items orpallets of items to different locations or warehouses to anticipatedemand. On the consumer side, the information about current locations ofparticular items may be used to determine when a particular package willbe delivered with improved accuracy.

In some examples, some or all of the mobile components 110 withinrobotic fleet 100 may periodically receive charged batteries from abattery exchange station 126 equipped with multiple battery chargers. Inparticular, the station 126 may replace a mobile robot's old batterieswith recharged batteries, which may prevent robots from having to sitand wait for batteries to charge. The battery exchange station 126 maybe equipped with a robotic manipulator such as a robotic arm. Therobotic manipulator may remove batteries from an individual mobile robotand attach the batteries to available battery chargers. The roboticmanipulator may then move charged batteries located at the station 126into the mobile robot to replace the removed batteries. For instance, anAGV 112 with a weak battery may be controlled to move over to batteryexchange station 126 where a robotic arm pulls a battery out from theAGV 112, puts the battery in a charger, and gives the AGV 112 a freshbattery.

In further examples, battery exchanges may be scheduled by a centralplanning system. For instance, individual mobile robots may beconfigured to monitor their battery charge status. The robots mayperiodically send information to the central planning system indicatingthe status of their batteries. This information may then be used by thecentral planning system to schedule battery replacements for individualrobots within the fleet when needed or convenient.

In some examples, a fleet 100 may contain a number of different types ofmobile components 110 that use different types of batteries. A batteryexchange station 126 may therefore be equipped with different types ofbattery chargers for different types of batteries and/or mobile robots.The battery exchange station 126 may also be equipped with a roboticmanipulator that can replace batteries for different types of robots. Insome examples, mobile robots may have battery containers containingmultiple batteries. For instance, an autonomous fork truck 114 such as apallet jack may have a steel bucket with 3 or 4 batteries. The roboticarm at the station 126 may be configured to lift out the entire bucketof batteries and attach individual batteries to battery chargers on ashelf at the station 126. The robotic arm may then find chargedbatteries to replace the old batteries, and move those batteries backinto the bucket before reinserting the bucket into the pallet jack.

In further examples, global control system 150 and/or a separate controlsystem of the battery exchange station 126 may also automate batterymanagement strategies. For instance, each battery may have a barcode orother identifying mark so that the system can identify individualbatteries. A control system of the battery exchange station 126 maycount how many times individual batteries have been recharged (e.g., todetermine when to change water or empty batteries completely). Thecontrol system may also keep track of which batteries have spent time inwhich robotic devices, how long the batteries took to recharge at thestation 126 in the past, and other relevant properties for efficientbattery management. This battery usage information may be used by thecontrol system to select batteries for the robotic manipulator to giveto particular mobile robots.

In additional examples, a battery exchange station 126 may also involvea human operator in some cases. For instance, the station 126 couldinclude a rig where people can safely perform manual battery changing ordeliver new batteries to the station for deployment into the fleet 100when necessary.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate several examples of robotic devices that may beincluded within a robotic warehouse fleet. Other robotic devices whichvary in form from those illustrated here as well as other types ofrobotic devices may also be included.

FIG. 2A illustrates a robotic truck unloader, according to an exampleembodiment. In some examples, a robotic truck unloader may include oneor more sensors, one or more computers, and one or more robotic arms.The sensors may scan an environment containing one or more objects inorder to capture visual data and/or three-dimensional (3D) depthinformation. Data from the scans may then be integrated into arepresentation of larger areas in order to provide digital environmentreconstruction. In additional examples, the reconstructed environmentmay then be used for identifying objects to pick up, determining pickpositions for objects, and/or planning collision-free trajectories forthe one or more robotic arms and/or a mobile base.

The robotic truck unloader 200 may include a robotic arm 202 with agripping component 204 for gripping objects within the environment. Therobotic arm 202 may use the gripping component 204 to pick up and placeboxes to load or unload trucks or other containers. The truck unloader200 may also include a moveable cart 212 with wheels 214 for locomotion.The wheels 214 may be holonomic wheels that allow the cart 212 to movewith two degrees of freedom. Additionally, a wrap around front conveyorbelt 210 may be included on the holonomic cart 212. In some examples,the wrap around front conveyer belt may allow the truck loader 200 tounload or load boxes from or to a truck container or pallet withouthaving to rotate gripper 204.

In further examples, a sensing system of robotic truck unloader 200 mayuse one or more sensors attached to a robotic arm 202, such as sensor206 and sensor 208, which may be two-dimensional (2D) sensors and/or 3Ddepth sensors that sense information about the environment as therobotic arm 202 moves. The sensing system may determine informationabout the environment that can be used by a control system (e.g., acomputer running motion planning software) to pick and move boxesefficiently. The control system could be located on the device or couldbe in remote communication with the device. In further examples, scansfrom one or more 2D or 3D sensors with fixed mounts on a mobile base,such as a front navigation sensor 216 and a rear navigation sensor 218,and one or more sensors mounted on a robotic arm, such as sensor 206 andsensor 208, may be integrated to build up a digital model of theenvironment, including the sides, floor, ceiling, and/or front wall of atruck or other container. Using this information, the control system maycause the mobile base to navigate into a position for unloading orloading.

In further examples, the robotic arm 202 may be equipped with a gripper204, such as a digital suction grid gripper. In such embodiments, thegripper may include one or more suction valves that can be turned on oroff either by remote sensing, or single point distance measurementand/or by detecting whether suction is achieved. In additional examples,the digital suction grid gripper may include an articulated extension.In some embodiments, the potential to actuate suction grippers withrheological fluids or powders may enable extra gripping on objects withhigh curvatures.

The truck unloader 200 may additionally include a motor, which may be anelectric motor powered by electrical power, or may be powered by anumber of different energy sources, such as a gas-based fuel or solarpower. Additionally, the motor may be configured to receive power from apower supply. The power supply may provide power to various componentsof the robotic system and could represent, for example, a rechargeablelithium-ion or lead-acid battery. In an example embodiment, one or morebanks of such batteries could be configured to provide electrical power.Other power supply materials and types are also possible.

FIG. 2B illustrates a robotic arm on a pedestal, according to an exampleembodiment. More specifically, pedestal robot 220 may be positionedwithin an environment such as a warehouse environment and used to pickup, move, and/or otherwise manipulate objects within reach. In someexamples, the pedestal robot 220 may be specialized for heavy liftingwithout requiring batteries to operate. The pedestal robot 220 mayinclude a robotic arm 222 with an end-effector-mounted gripper 224,which may be of the same type as the robotic manipulator 202 and gripper204 described with respect to the robotic truck unloader 200. Therobotic arm 222 may be mounted on a pedestal 226, which may allow therobotic arm 222 to easily pick up and move nearby packages, such as todistribute packages between different mobile robots. In some examples,the robotic arm 222 may also be operable to construct and/or deconstructpallets of boxes. In additional examples, the pedestal 226 may includean actuator to allow a control system to change the height of therobotic arm 222.

In further examples, a bottom surface of the pedestal robot 220 may be apallet-shaped structure. For instance, the bottom surface may havedimension and shape roughly equivalent to other pallets used for objecttransport or storage within a warehouse. By shaping the bottom of thepedestal robot 220 as a pallet, the pedestal robot 220 may be picked upand moved to different locations within a warehouse environment by apallet jack or different type of autonomous fork truck. For instance,when a delivery truck arrives at a particular docking port of thewarehouse, a pedestal robot 220 may be picked up and moved to a locationcloser to the delivery truck to more efficiently process boxes comingfrom or going to the delivery truck.

In additional examples, the pedestal robot 220 may also include one ormore visual sensors to identify boxes and/or other robotic deviceswithin the vicinity of the pedestal robot 220. For instance, a controlsystem of the pedestal robot 220 or a global control system may usesensor data from sensors on the pedestal robot 220 to identify boxes forthe robotic arm 222 and gripper 224 of the pedestal robot 220 to pick upor manipulate. In further examples, the sensor data may also be used toidentify mobile robotic devices in order to determine where todistribute individual boxes. Other types of robotic fixed manipulationstations may also be used within a heterogeneous robotic fleet as well.

FIG. 2C shows an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV), according to anexample embodiment. More specifically, AGV 240 may be a relativelysmall, mobile robotic device that is capable of transporting individualboxes or cases. The AGV 240 may include wheels 242 to allow forlocomotion within a warehouse environment. Additionally, a top surface244 of the AGV 240 may be used to places boxes or other objects fortransport. In some examples, the top surface 244 may include rotatingconveyors to move objects to or from the AGV 240. In additionalexamples, the AGV 240 may be powered by one or more batteries that canbe quickly recharged at a battery charging station and/or exchanged forfresh batteries at a battery exchange station. In further examples, theAGV 240 may additionally include other components not specificallyidentified here, such as sensors for navigation. AGVs with differentshapes and sizes also may be included within a robotic warehouse fleet,possibly depending on the types of packages handled by a warehouse.

FIG. 2D shows an autonomous fork truck, according to an exampleembodiment. More specifically, autonomous fork truck 260 may include aforklift 262 for lifting and/or moving pallets of boxes or other largermaterials. In some examples, the forklift 262 may be elevated to reachdifferent racks of a storage rack or other fixed storage structurewithin a warehouse. The autonomous fork truck 260 may additionallyinclude wheels 264 for locomotion to transport pallets within thewarehouse. In additional examples, the autonomous fork truck may includea motor and power supply as well as a sensing system, such as thosedescribed with respect to robotic truck unloader 200. The autonomousfork truck 260 may also vary in size or shape from the one illustratedin FIG. 2D.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart showing a method 300 that may allow foroperation of an autonomous vehicle, according to an example embodiment.Method 300 may be carried out by a local control system of an autonomousvehicle with a lifting component, such as an autonomous fork truck asillustrated and described with respect to FIG. 2D. In further examples,method 300 may be executed by a control system of a number of differentpossible types of autonomous vehicles, including autonomous forklifts,pallet jacks, or AGVs equipped with one or more lift elements.Additionally, method 300 may involve operation of a different type ofmobile robotic device with a lifting mechanism than those devicesspecially illustrated and described herein.

Furthermore, it is noted that the functionality described in connectionwith the flowcharts described herein can be implemented asspecial-function and/or configured general-function hardware modules,portions of program code executed by a processor for achieving specificlogical functions, determinations, and/or steps described in connectionwith the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. Where used, program code can bestored on any type of computer-readable medium, for example, such as astorage device including a disk or hard drive.

In addition, each block of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 may representcircuitry that is wired to perform the specific logical functions in theprocess. Unless specifically indicated, functions in the flowchart shownin FIG. 3 may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed,including substantially concurrent execution of separately describedfunctions, or even in reverse order in some examples, depending on thefunctionality involved, so long as the overall functionality of thedescribed method is maintained.

As shown by block 302 of FIG. 3, method 300 may involve receivinginstructions to pick up an object with one or more lift elements of anautonomous vehicle. Within examples, an autonomous vehicle is amechanically operable mobile device with at least some functionsautomated by a local control system of the vehicle. Additionally, thevehicle includes one or more lift elements, which are actuatablecomponents of the vehicle that can be raised in order to lift an object.In some examples, the autonomous vehicle may be an autonomous fork truckwith one or more forks (also referred to as “tines” or “prongs”),including a forklift or a pallet jack. In other examples, the autonomousvehicle may be a different type of motorized vehicle besides a truck,such as an AGV. Additionally, the autonomous vehicle may only contain asingle lift element (e.g., a single surface) that can be raised in orderto lift an object. The object could be any moveable article orcontainer. In some examples, the object may have a certain standardizedshape and/or size, such as a pallet of boxes.

Within examples, instructions to pick up an object include any type ofdigital signal or information that is receivable by the local controlsystem of the vehicle. In some examples, the instructions may simplyinclude a signal to pick up an object without other informationidentifying the object. In such examples, the local control system ofthe vehicle may infer which object to pick up or otherwise identify theobject based on the current positioning of the vehicle. The localcontrol system may also use predetermined guidelines regarding types ofobjects to be picked up. For instance, a pallet jack may havepredetermined guidelines to only pick up and move pallets of boxes. Inother examples, the instructions may include information to help thelocal control system identify the object to be picked up as well. Forinstance, the instructions may include the type of object (e.g., apallet of boxes), a location of the object, or other types ofidentifying information (e.g., shape, size, color, identificationnumbers, etc.). In further examples, the instructions may alsoinformation indicating how to pick up the object. For instance, theinstructions may indicate a pickup point to place forks on the objectand/or which side of the object to use to pick up the object.

In some examples, the instructions to pick up an object may be receivedfrom a remote operator computing device which sends a digital signal tothe local control system of the vehicle. For instance, the remoteoperator computing device may include a graphical user interface with aselectable option (e.g., a button or menu item) to relinquish control ofthe vehicle to the local automated system to complete pickup of anobject. In some examples, the user interface may also enablecommunication of other types of information to include in theinstructions, such as identification of the object (e.g., by clicking orselecting the object on a screen) and/or what point on the object to useas a pickup point.

In further examples, the instructions to pick up an object may insteadbe received from a remote automated system. For instance, theinstructions could be received from a global control system of a roboticwarehouse fleet, such as global control system 150 as described inreference to FIG. 1B. In such examples, the global control system maycontrol the vehicle to navigate close to an object (e.g., using a globalmap of the environment) to be picked up before transferring control tothe local control system for automated final vehicle approach and objectpickup.

As shown by block 304 of FIG. 3, method 300 may further involveidentifying the object to be picked up based on a current positioning ofthe autonomous vehicle. Within examples, the current positioning of thevehicle includes the position of the vehicle within an environment at apoint in time when the instructions are received, at a point in timewhen the instructions are sent, or a different point in time proximateto when the instructions are received. By using the current positioningof the vehicle, the local control system may infer the intended objectto be picked by a remote operator (e.g., a human remote operator or aremote automated system). Additionally, the local control system mayalso use the positioning of the vehicle to determine a particular sideof the object under which to place the vehicle's lift elements to liftthe object. Within examples, the particular side of the object includesa surface of the object, an edge of the object, a point on the object,and/or a direction to approach the object in order to lift the object.

In some examples, a remote operator may partially position one or moreof the vehicle's lift elements under the object before relinquishingcontrol of the vehicle to the local control system. The local controlsystem may identify the object to be picked up based on the positioningof the lift elements. In particular, the same side of the object underwhich the lift elements are partially positioned may be used to lift theobject. Knowing that one or more of the lift elements are partiallypositioned under the object may reduce the space that the local controlsystem must consider to identify where the object to be picked up is,thereby simplifying the task of picking up the object. In some examples,if one or more of the lift elements are not positioned under an objectwhen the instructions are received, the local control system may refrainfrom attempting to pick up an object, and may instead return control tothe remote operator.

FIG. 4A illustrates partial positioning of a vehicle's lift elementsunder an object, according to an example embodiment. More specifically,the forks 404, 406 of a pallet jack 402 may be partially positionedunder a particular side 412 of a pallet 410 when the instructions topick up an object are received by a local control system of the palletjack 402. Based on this positioning, the local control system of thepallet jack 402 may identify the pallet 410 as the object to be pickedand the side 412 of the pallet 410 to use for the pickup. As isdiscussed in more detail below, the local control system may then causethe pallet jack 402 to move toward the pallet 410 to fully insert theforks 404, 406 under the particular side 412 of the pallet 410 in orderto pick up the pallet 410.

The local control system of a vehicle may use the current positioning ofthe vehicle to identify the object in other ways as well or instead. Forinstance, the local control system may determine if the lift elements ofthe vehicle are pointed at a particular object. If so, then theparticular object may be identified as the object to be picked up by thevehicle. In another example, the direction that the front of the vehicleis facing may be used instead of the direction of the lift elements. Ina further example, the local control system may determine whether thereis an object within a certain threshold distance from the vehicle. Ifthere is a single object within the threshold distance from the vehicle,then that object may be identified as the object to be picked up by thevehicle. In additional examples, a combination of different types ofinformation may be used by the local control system to identify anobject for pickup. For instance, the local control system may onlyproceed with object pickup if the vehicle's is directed at a particularobject and the object is within a threshold distance as well.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the method 300 may further involve determiningan approach path toward the object for the vehicle to follow to placeone or more of the vehicle's lift elements under the object, as shown byblock 306. More specifically, after determining a side of the object touse for pickup, the local control system may determine a route for thevehicle to follow towards the object in order to align and position thevehicle's lift elements for pickup. In some examples, the approach pathmay be determined in order to place the lift elements at a center pointof the particular side of the object (e.g., the middle of a side of apallet). The center point may be determined based on sensor data fromone or more optical sensors on the vehicle that are oriented to detectthe object.

FIG. 4B illustrates an approach path toward an object, according to anexample embodiment. More specifically, the local control system ofpallet jack 402 may determine approach path 420 for the pallet jack 402to move along in order to place the forks 404, 406 of the pallet jack402 under the pallet 410. The approach path 420 may start at a currentpositioning 422 of the pallet jack 402. Additionally, the approach path420 may not have a predetermined endpoint because force feedback fromone or more force sensors on the pallet jack 402 may be used todetermine when to stop motion of the pallet jack 402 along the path 420.In some examples, the approach path 420 may be determined over time aspallet jack 402 moves along the path 420 and more sensor data (e.g.,from one or more optical sensors) becomes available.

The approach path 420 may be determined in order to line up the palletjack 402 with the pallet 410 so that the forks 404, 406 of the palletjack 402 are perpendicular to the side 412 of the pallet 410 wheninserted under the pallet 410. Determination of the path 420 maytherefore take into account the current positioning and orientation ofthe pallet jack 402 as well as the current positioning and orientationof the forks 404, 406 in order to properly align the pallet jack 402 forpickup. In some examples, the path 420 may be determined to place theforks 404, 406 under a center point of the side 412 of the pallet 410.In other examples, the path 420 may be determined to place the forks404, 406 at a different pickup point on the pallet 410 as well.

Referring back to FIG. 3, method 300 may further involve causing thevehicle to move along the determined approach path toward the object, asshown by block 308. More specifically, the local control system maycause the vehicle to navigate along the path toward the object. In someexamples, the path may be adjusted or refined as the vehicle moves alongthe path. For instance, navigation adjustments may be applied in aneffort to align the lift elements of the vehicle so that they areperpendicular to a side of a pallet when inserted under the pallet.Additionally, navigation adjustments may be applied in an effort toalign the lift elements of the vehicle so that they are placed under acenter point on a side of the pallet. In some examples, this type offine navigation control may be difficult for a remote operator (e.g.,due to network delay in visualizing the effects of navigationadjustments). Accordingly, the local control system may be capable ofmore precise navigation with direct access to optical sensing data fromthe vehicle.

In further examples, the local control system of the vehicle may alsoadjust the speed of the vehicle in moving along the determined approachpath toward the object. For instance, the local control system may causethe vehicle to slow down as it gets closer to the object. Precise speedcontrol may be difficult for a remote operator, and there may be a riskof contacting the object with too much speed. Additionally, a remoteoperator may attempt to compensate by causing the vehicle to slow downwell in advance of reaching the object. In contrast, the local controlsystem of the vehicle may not reduce speed until the vehicle isproximate to the object, which may produce efficiency gains from usingthe local control system for object pickup as well.

Method 300 may further involve determining that one or more of thevehicle's lift elements are placed under the object for pickup, as shownby block 310. More specifically, the local control system of the vehiclemay use force feedback from one or more force sensors on the vehicle todetermine when the vehicle's lift elements are properly positioned underthe object. As is discussed in more detail below, a force sensor may beany type of sensor placed on the vehicle's lift elements, wheels, and/orbody that are configured to detect force, contact, and/or pressure fromthe object. Other types of sensors, such as distance sensors and/oroptical sensors, may be used to ensure that the vehicle's lift elementsare positioned under the object as well or instead. Based on sensor datafrom these sensors, the local control system may determine when to stopthe vehicle's motion along the determined approach path. In one example,the local control system may determine when a detected force exceeds athreshold amount, and responsively cause the vehicle to stop motionalong the path.

FIG. 4C shows a vehicle at the end of an approach path, according to anexample embodiment. More specifically, the pallet jack 402 may becontrolled to move from starting position 422 along approach path 420until it reaches point 424. When the pallet jack 402 reaches point 424,sensor data from one or more forces sensors on the pallet jack 402 mayindicate that the forks 404, 406 are fully positioned under the pallet410. For instance, one or more contact sensors on the body of the palletjack 402 may detect contact with the pallet 410. As another example, oneor more sensors on the wheels of the pallet jack 402 may detect that thepallet jack 402 is experiencing a resistive force when moving along theapproach path 420. As previously discussed, the pallet jack 402 may becontrolled to move slowly enough as it gets close to the pallet 410 toavoid damaging the pallet 410 or pallet jack 402 upon contact. When toslow down the pallet jack 402 and/or stop the pallet jack 402 may bedetermined at least in part using sensor data from one or more opticalsensors on the pallet jack 402.

In some examples, a remote operator may have a difficult time stoppingthe vehicle immediately after contact with the object is detected. Alocal control system of the vehicle with force sensors may have directaccess to force feedback data in order to stop the vehicle as soon asforce and/or contact is detected.

Referring back to FIG. 3, method 300 may further involve causing thevehicle to lift the object with the one or more lift elements, as shownby block 312. More specifically, after navigating the vehicle in orderto place the lift elements under the object, the lift elements may beraised in order to lift the object off the ground. In some examples,control of the vehicle may be returned to a remote operator after objectpickup is complete.

FIG. 5A illustrates another example of partial positioning of avehicle's lift elements under an object, according to exampleembodiment. More specifically, the forks 504, 506 of a pallet jack 502may be partially positioned under a particular side 512 of a pallet 510when instructions to pick up the pallet are received by a local controlsystem of the pallet jack 502. Additionally, the pallet jack 502 may beequipped with at least one optical sensor 508 that is configured todetect other objects in an area around the pallet jack 502. Forinstance, the local control system of the pallet jack 502 may identifyobject 530 based on sensor data from optical sensor 508. In someexamples, nearby objects may identified using sensor data from at leastone laser scanner on the vehicle that is configured to scan an areasurrounding the vehicle. In other examples, nearby objects may beidentified in other ways as well or instead. For instance, one or moredifferent types of sensors on pallet jack 502 may be used. In furtherexamples, sensor data may also be received from other robotic devicesoperating in the environment and/or sensors fixed within the environmentas well.

FIG. 5B illustrates an approach path toward an object and a swept space,according to an example embodiment. More specifically, the local controlsystem of pallet jack 502 may determine an approach path 520 towardpallet 510 in order to cause the pallet jack 502 to move from startingposition 522 toward the side 512 of the pallet 510. The approach path520 may be determined in order to align the forks 504, 506 of palletjack 502 in order to pick up the pallet 510. For instance, as discussedin references to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the approach path 520 may bedetermined in order to insert the forks 504, 506 perpendicular to theside 512 of the pallet 510 at an approximate center point of the side512 of the pallet 510.

Additionally, the local control system of pallet jack 502 may determinea swept space 524 to be covered by the pallet jack 502 in moving alongapproach path 520. Within examples, the swept space 524 includes an areaof the environment that some part of the pallet jack 502 will occupy atsome point in moving along approach path 520. In additional examples,the swept space 524 may also include some additional buffer around thearea crossed by the pallet jack 502. In further examples, the sweptspace 524 may be determined or adjusted over time as the pallet jack 502moves along the path 520 and/or more sensor data becomes available.

The local control system of pallet jack 502 may determine whether thereare any objects and/or other types of potential obstructions withinswept space 524. For instance, object 530 may be identified as anobstacle within swept space 524. In response to detecting object 530,the local control system of pallet jack 502 may determine or adjust theapproach path to avoid the object 530. For instance, a new approach pathmay be determined with a swept space that does not include object 530.In some examples, it may not be possible for the vehicle to approach theobject for pickup at the planned pickup point on the object. In suchexamples, the local control may send a signal warning the remoteoperator, and then relinquish control of the vehicle without completingthe pickup.

In some examples, the local control system may determine that adifferent pickup point on the same side of the object can be reachedwithout colliding with the obstructing object. For instance, inreference to FIG. 5B, it may be determined that pallet jack 502 can pickup the pallet 510 at a different pickup point on side 512 of pallet 510besides the center point. In such examples, the local control system maydetermine an alternative approach path for the vehicle to reach thealternative pickup point. In additional examples, the local controlsystem may also send a signal to the remote operator identifying theobstructing object and the proposed alternative pickup point on theobject. The local control system may then wait for a confirmation signalfrom the remote operator before proceeding with the pickup. Forinstance, the remote operator may confirm that the proposed alternativepickup point is acceptable given type, size, shape, or other propertiesof the object.

FIG. 5C shows an alternative approach path toward a different side of anobject, according to an example embodiment. More specifically, the localcontrol system of pallet jack 502 may determine that picking up thepallet 510 on side 512 is not feasible because of object 530.Accordingly, the local control system may determine an alternativeapproach path 540 to reach a different side 514 of the object 510. Aswith using a different pickup point, the local control system of thepallet jack 502 may first send a signal to the remote operatoridentifying the obstacle and the proposed alternative side to use topick up the object. The vehicle 502 may not be controlled to move alongalternative approach path 540 toward side 514 of the pallet 510 until aconfirmation signal is received. After moving the vehicle 502 along path540, the local control system may use force feedback data from one ormore force sensors on the vehicle 502 in order to cause the vehicle tostop at point 542 to pick up the pallet 510 from side 514 with forks504, 506.

In further examples, alternative pickup points and/or alternative sidesto pick up an object from may be determined based on other factorsbesides obstructing obstacles. In some examples, the local controlsystem may determine or receive information regarding a target dropofflocation for an object after it is picked up by the vehicle. Based oncharacteristics of the target dropoff location such as shape, size, orcurrent capacity, a pickup point or side for the object may bedetermined in order to accommodate the dropoff location. For instance,it may be determined that an object must be picked up on a particularside in order for the vehicle to be able to deliver it to the targetlocation. Confirmation may also be requested from a remote operator inorder to use the particular side for pickup.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing another method 600 that may allowfor operation of an autonomous vehicle, according to an exampleembodiment. Method 600 may be carried out by a local control system ofan autonomous vehicle with a lifting component, including any of thetypes of vehicles described in reference to method 300 of FIG. 3.Additionally, all of the possible modes of operation and/orimplementation described in reference to method 300 of Figure may beapplied to method 600 of FIG. 6 as well.

As shown by block 602 of FIG. 6, method 600 includes causing anautonomous vehicle to move along an approach path toward an object. Theapproach path indicates a path for the vehicle to follow in order toplace lift elements such as forks of the vehicle under the object forobject pickup. In some examples, the approach path may be determined bya local control system of the autonomous vehicle, as described inreference to method 300 of FIG. 3. In other examples, the approach pathmay instead be determined by a remote operating system (e.g., a remoteautomated system or a remote human-operated system) and then sent to thelocal control system of the vehicle for execution.

As shown by block 604 of FIG. 6, method 600 further includes receivingsensor data from at least one horizontal force sensor on the autonomousvehicle indicating a horizontal force from the object on the autonomousvehicle. Within examples, a horizontal force sensor is a sensorpositioned on the vehicle in order to detect force toward the vehicle ina direction opposite the direction of travel of the vehicle. In someexamples, one or more horizontal force sensors may be contact sensors onthe body of the vehicle that detect contact between the body of thevehicle and an object when the lift elements of the vehicle are fullypositioned under the object. In additional examples, one or morehorizontal force sensors may be force sensors coupled to one or morewheels of the vehicle to detect resistive force opposite the approachpath followed by the vehicle. In further examples, one or morehorizontal force sensors may be positioned on the lift elements orelsewhere on the vehicle as well or instead.

FIG. 7A illustrates an autonomous vehicle with horizontal force sensorsand vertical force sensors, according an example embodiment. Morespecifically, fork truck 700 includes two horizontal force sensors 704,706 mounted to the body 702 of the fork truck 700. The horizontal forcesensors 704, 706 may generate sensor data indicating a force on the forktruck 700 in a direction towards the front of the body 702 of the forktruck 700. The sensor data may include force values, pressure values,and/or a boolean value indicating whether or not contact with an objectis detected. Multiple horizontal force sensors may be arranged on avehicle in order to verify that the vehicle's lift elements are fullypositioned under an object to be picked up. In some examples, horizontalforce sensors may be positioned elsewhere on the body 702, on the forks712, 714, on the wheels, and/or on other parts of fork truck 700 as wellor instead.

Referring back to FIG. 6, method 600 further involves determining thatone or more lift elements of the autonomous vehicle are positioned underthe object, as shown by block 606. More specifically, the vehicle may bemoved toward the object until sensor data from one or more of the forcesensors indicates a horizontal force from the object on the vehicle in adirection opposite the approach path. In some examples, the horizontalforce may simply be any detected contact between the object and thevehicle. For instance, a horizontal force sensor may be a contact orbump sensor positioned on the front of the vehicle's body. In furtherexamples, determining that the lift elements of the vehicle are properlypositioned under the object may involve determining that multiplehorizontal force sensors on the vehicle have indicated a force and/orcontact from the object. It may also involve determining that theregistered forces are uniform in magnitude at different points on thevehicle to verify that the lift elements are aligned under the object tobe picked up.

FIG. 7B shows the vehicle from FIG. 7A and an object to be picked up,according to an example embodiment. More specifically fork truck 700 maybe advanced along an approach path toward pallet 750 in order to pick upthe pallet 750. The fork truck 700 may be controlled to move toward theobject until one or both of the horizontal force sensors 704, 706 detecta horizontal force from the pallet 750 on the body 702 of the fork truck700. The arrows toward horizontal force sensors 704, 706 in FIG. 7Bindicate directions of force on the fork truck 700 from the pallet 750that may be detected by the horizontal force sensors 704, 706. In someexamples, the fork truck 700 may be advanced until both horizontal forcesensors 704, 706 detect a force from the pallet 750. In furtherexamples, the fork truck 700 may be advanced until both horizontal forcesensors 704, 706 indicate a force of the same magnitude from the pallet750, or two forces within a threshold amount from one another.

Referring back to FIG. 6, method 600 may further involve causing the oneor more lift elements to raise the object until at least one verticalforce sensor indicates a stable downward force from the object on theone or more lift elements, as shown by block 608. More specifically,after the vehicle has been moved into position so that the lift elementsare fully positioned under the object, the lift elements may be raisedto lift the object off the ground. One or more force sensors on at leastone of the lift elements may be used to detect downward force from theobject. The object may be raised until the detected downward forceremains stable to ensure that the object is fully lifted off the ground(e.g., that an edge or other portion of the object is not still on theground). In some examples, a weight of the object may be determinedusing sensor data from the vertical force sensors. The vehicle maycontinue to lift the object until the determined weight no longerchanges, or is stable to within some threshold amount. Within examples,ensuring that the object is fully lifted off the ground before allowingthe vehicle to move with the object may avoid damage that could resultfrom dragging the object on the ground.

In reference to FIG. 7A, fork truck 700 may include vertical forcesensors 716, 718 positioned on each of the vehicle's forks 712, 714. Thevertical force sensors 716, 718 may indicate a downward force detectedon each of the respect forks 712, 714. For instance, in reference toFIG. 7B, when the pallet 750 is lifted by the forks 712, 714, thevertical force sensors 716, 718 may each detect downward vertical forcesas reflected by the arrows shown. The pallet 750 may be lifted by theforks 712, 714 until the vertical force sensors 716, 718 indicate astable downward force and/or stable weight from the pallet 750. In someexamples, the vertical force sensors may be positioned at differentpoints on a vehicle's lift elements than shown here. Additionally,multiple vertical force sensors may be positioned at different points ona single lift element as well.

In some examples, data from respective force sensors on different liftelements may be used to determine whether an object's weight issufficiently distributed across the lift elements. For instance, in FIG.7B, data from the vertical force sensors 716, 718 may be used todetermine how the weight of the pallet 750 is distributed across forks712, 714. If the weight is not balanced across the forks 712, 714 (e.g.,to within some threshold amount from equal weight distribution), thefork truck 700 may be controlled to set the pallet 750 back on theground and not proceed with the pickup. In further examples, a localcontrol system of the fork truck 700 may determine an alternative pickuppoint and/or side to pick up the pallet 750 in an effort to provide moreequal distribution of the weight of the pallet 750 across the forks 712,714 as well.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The above detailed description describes various features and functionsof the disclosed systems, devices, and methods with reference to theaccompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols typically identifysimilar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The exampleembodiments described herein and in the figures are not meant to belimiting. Other embodiments can be utilized, and other changes can bemade, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

A block that represents a processing of information may correspond tocircuitry that can be configured to perform the specific logicalfunctions of a herein-described method or technique. Alternatively oradditionally, a block that represents a processing of information maycorrespond to a module, a segment, or a portion of program code(including related data). The program code may include one or moreinstructions executable by a processor for implementing specific logicalfunctions or actions in the method or technique. The program code and/orrelated data may be stored on any type of computer readable medium suchas a storage device including a disk or hard drive or other storagemedium.

The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory computerreadable media such as computer-readable media that stores data forshort periods of time like register memory, processor cache, and randomaccess memory (RAM). The computer readable media may also includenon-transitory computer readable media that stores program code and/ordata for longer periods of time, such as secondary or persistent longterm storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks,compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computerreadable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storagesystems. A computer readable medium may be considered a computerreadable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device.

Moreover, a block that represents one or more information transmissionsmay correspond to information transmissions between software and/orhardware modules in the same physical device. However, other informationtransmissions may be between software modules and/or hardware modules indifferent physical devices.

The particular arrangements shown in the figures should not be viewed aslimiting. It should be understood that other embodiments can includemore or less of each element shown in a given figure. Further, some ofthe illustrated elements can be combined or omitted. Yet further, anexample embodiment can include elements that are not illustrated in thefigures.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopebeing indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: one or more lift elements;a local control system configured to: receive, from a remote controlsystem of the vehicle, instructions for the vehicle to autonomouslyapproach and lift an object with the one or more lift elements;determine an intended pickup point on the object to position the one ormore lift elements; determine that an area to be traversed by thevehicle to reach the intended pickup point on the object overlaps anobstructing object; and send, to the remote control system of thevehicle, a signal identifying the obstructing object and a proposedalternative pickup point on the object.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the local control system is further configured to: determine anarea of swept space to be covered by the vehicle when moving along anapproach path toward the intended pickup point on the object; and usethe determined area of swept space to determine that the area to betraversed by the vehicle to reach the intended pickup point on theobject overlaps the obstructing object.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising at least one optical sensor coupled to the vehicle,wherein the local control system is further configured to determine,based on sensor data from the at least one optical sensor, a centerpoint of a side of the object to be the intended pickup point on theobject.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the local control system isfurther configured to determine the alternative pickup point to be anoff-center point on the side of the object.
 5. The vehicle of claim 3,wherein the local control system is further configured to determine thealternative pickup point to be on an alternative side of the object. 6.The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the local control system is furtherconfigured to: receive a confirmation signal confirming pickup of theobject at the proposed alternative pickup point on the object; and inresponse to receiving the confirmation signal, cause the vehicle to movealong an alternative approach path toward the proposed alternativepickup point on the object, wherein the alternative approach path avoidsthe obstructing object.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the localcontrol system is further configured to: determine a target dropofflocation for the object; and determine the proposed alternative pickuppoint on the object based on one or more characteristics of the targetdropoff location for the object.
 8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein theone or more characteristics comprise at least one of a shape, size, orcurrent capacity of the target dropoff location for the object.
 9. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the local control system is furtherconfigured to determine the intended pickup point on the object based ona position of the vehicle when the instructions to autonomously approachand lift the object are received.
 10. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one horizontal force sensor configured to detect ahorizontal force in a direction toward the vehicle, wherein the localcontrol system is further configured to: receive a confirmation signalconfirming pickup of the object at the proposed alternative pickup pointon the object; in response to receiving the confirmation signal, causethe vehicle to move along an alternative approach path toward theproposed alternative pickup point on the object, wherein the alternativeapproach path avoids the obstructing object; based on sensor data fromthe at least one horizontal force sensor indicating a horizontal forcefrom the object on the vehicle, determine that the one or more liftelements are positioned under the object; and after determining that theone or more lift elements are positioned under the object, cause the oneor more lift elements to raise the object.
 11. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising at least one vertical force sensor configured todetect a downward force on the one or more lift elements, wherein thelocal control system is further configured to: receive a confirmationsignal confirming pickup of the object at the proposed alternativepickup point on the object; in response to receiving the confirmationsignal, cause the vehicle to move along an alternative approach pathtoward the proposed alternative pickup point on the object, wherein thealternative approach path avoids the obstructing object; determine thatthe one or more lift elements are positioned under the object; afterdetermining that the one or more lift elements are positioned under theobject, cause the one or more lift elements to raise the object; basedon sensor data from the at least one vertical force sensor indicating astable downward force from the object on the one or more lift elements,determine that the object is lifted off of a ground surface; and afterdetermining that the object is lifted off of the ground surface, returncontrol of the vehicle to the remote control system.
 12. The vehicle ofclaim 1, wherein the local control system is further configured to causethe vehicle to hold position until a response to the signal is receivedfrom the remote control system of the vehicle.
 13. A method comprising:receiving, from a remote control system of a vehicle, instructions forthe vehicle to autonomously approach and lift an object with one or morelift elements; determining an intended pickup point on the object toposition the one or more lift elements; determining that an area to betraversed by the vehicle to reach the intended pickup point on theobject overlaps an obstructing object; and sending, to the remotecontrol system of the vehicle, a signal identifying the obstructingobject and a proposed alternative pickup point on the object.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: determining an area of sweptspace to be covered by the vehicle when moving along an approach pathtoward the intended pickup point on the object; and using the determinedarea of swept space to determine that the area to be traversed by thevehicle to reach the intended pickup point on the object overlaps theobstructing object.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:receiving a confirmation signal confirming pickup of the object at theproposed alternative pickup point on the object; and in response toreceiving the confirmation signal, causing the vehicle to move along analternative approach path toward the proposed alternative pickup pointon the object, wherein the alternative approach path avoids theobstructing object.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:determining a target dropoff location for the object; and determiningthe proposed alternative pickup point on the object based on one or morecharacteristics of the target dropoff location for the object.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: determining the intended pickuppoint on the object based on a position of the vehicle when theinstructions to autonomously approach and lift the object are received.18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereininstructions, that when executed by a local control system of a vehicle,cause the local control system to perform functions comprising:receiving, from a remote control system of the vehicle, instructions forthe vehicle to autonomously approach and lift an object with one or morelift elements; determining an intended pickup point on the object toposition the one or more lift elements; determining that an area to betraversed by the vehicle to reach the intended pickup point on theobject overlaps an obstructing object; and sending, to the remotecontrol system of the vehicle, a signal identifying the obstructingobject and a proposed alternative pickup point on the object.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein thefunctions further comprise: receiving a confirmation signal confirmingpickup of the object at the proposed alternative pickup point on theobject; and in response to receiving the confirmation signal, causingthe vehicle to move along an alternative approach path toward theproposed alternative pickup point on the object, wherein the alternativeapproach path avoids the obstructing object.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the functions furthercomprise: determining the intended pickup point on the object based on aposition of the vehicle when the instructions to autonomously approachand lift the object are received.